City Council Decisions in Brief

From the November 20, 2017 Regular Meeting of City Council

8.1.3 Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw

Decision

*City Council received the information, and decided by a unanimous vote that performance regarding the Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw be added to service level reporting as standard practice starting in 2018 and this be appended to the file on service level reporting for the Saskatoon Fire Department.

Background

*City Council at its meeting held on September 25, 2017, considered a report from the Fire Chief on Fire Service Levels and requested that the Administration provide a report specific to the present Saskatoon Fire Department service level for response times for enforcement of The Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw. The PMNAB provides a mechanism to ensure a minimum standard of living and property conditions within our neighborhoods is being maintained. The purpose of the bylaw is to create a safe and comfortable environment for the residents of Saskatoon, address hazards, concerns for health and safety and ensure the amenity of the neighborhood is being maintained. At the October 30, 2017 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services, a report of the General Manager, Community Services dated October 30, 2017 was considered. The Committee requested that the report be forwarded to City Council.

8.1.7 Home Ice Campaign and University of Saskatchewan – Terms of Contribution Agreement for Additional Funding

Decision

*By a unanimous vote, City Council approved the recommendations;

1. That the proposed terms of the amending agreement to the existing Contribution Agreement, related to the additional $3.0 million capital contribution to Merlis Belsher Place on the University of Saskatchewan property, as presented within the October 30, 2017 report of the General Manager, Community Services Department, be approved; and
2. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate amending agreement to the current Contribution Agreement with the University of Saskatchewan, based on the approved terms of the agreement; and
3. That His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement under the Corporate Seal.

Background

*At its April 25, 2016 meeting, City Council resolved: “That the Administration be authorized to negotiate a contribution agreement wherein the City of Saskatoon would provide a $1.0 million capital contribution to a twin pad ice facility on the University of Saskatchewan property, based on the contribution agreement recognizing ongoing community access to the facility.”

At its July 21, 2016 meeting, City Council approved the key terms of the Contribution Agreement with the University.

During its January 30, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services (Committee) considered a report of the General Manager, Community Services Department, on the proposed request for $3.0 million additional funding and further information from the Home Ice Campaign Committee. The matter was forwarded to City Council for further consideration.

At its February 27, 2017 meeting, City Council resolved:

“1. That the Administration be directed to negotiate a contribution agreement with the University of Saskatchewan for an additional $3 Million for the construction of a twin ice facility, to ensure: a) long-term access for the community; b) access to the new gymnasium facility; c) longer-term acknowledgement of the City’s contribution; d) maximum benefit to the community;

2. That the Administration report on options for funding the $3 Million, with a phased-in approach over six (6) years;

3. That the information be received; and

4. That further information from the U of S/Home Ice Campaign/Nustadia regarding any additional unscheduled hours in the facility as a whole, that could be used for public access as part of an expanded partnership agreement with the City of Saskatoon be provided to the appropriate committee as soon as possible.”

8.2.5 Inquiry – Councillor Z. Jeffries (January 25, 2016) GPS in Civic Vehicles and “How’s My Driving?” Decals

Decision

*City Council received the information.

Background

*At the January 25, 2016, meeting of City Council, the following inquiry was made by Councillor Z. Jeffries: “Could Administration please report on the feasibility of installing and/or activating GPS in Civic vehicles and the options available for implementing “How’s my Driving”-style public feedback decals on Civic vehicles.”

8.3.6 Winter City Strategy

Decision

*City Council received the information.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on January 23, 2017, received the Saskatoon Winter Strategy Update report which provided an update and more detailed description of the components of a Winter City Strategy for Saskatoon. The Strategy was described as an intentional effort by the City of Saskatoon and community stakeholders to celebrate what makes Saskatoon unique as a four-season place that is inviting, vibrant and prosperous, even in the coldest months of the year.

8.3.9 Utility Scale Solar Power Plant

Decision

*By a unanimous vote, City Council approved the recommendations;

1. That Parcel M, Plan No. 102221525 (a 13 acre undeveloped parcel located along Circle Drive South near Montgomery Place) be set aside for a solar power plant;
2. That Administration proceed with community engagement and report back to City Council with options to finance, build, and operate the solar power plant;
3. That the options be referred to SREDA for evaluation of benefits to the economy;
4. That Administration report back on opportunities for Virtual Net Metering or Feedin Tariff programs as an opportunity within this program; and
5. That the report of the Acting General Manager, Corporate Performance Department, dated November 6, 2017, be forwarded to the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee for information.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on April 25, 2016, received the report Saskatchewan Polytechnic Solar Demonstration Partnership at the Landfill Gas Power Generation that provided a facility for construction of the Solar Power Demonstration Site, and on June 22, 2015, received the report Net Metering Program on providing customers with the ability to generate their own electricity. In 2016, SL&P built the Saskatoon Solar Power Demonstration Site with its partners SES Solar Co-operative Ltd., Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. The demonstration site was the first step for SL&P to prepare for a larger solar power plant. The Solar Demonstration Site, located at the Landfill Gas Power Generation Facility is only 500 metres south of the proposed Parcel M location. From the demonstration site, SL&P is analyzing the performance of different solar arrays, comparing the capital cost against its generation, gaining operational and maintenance experience, and creating long-term energy production projections.

8.4.3 Plan for Growth – Bus Rapid Transit Preferred Configuration

Decision

*City Council approved the recommendation that the preferred configuration and conceptual network for the Bus Rapid Transit system, as outlined in the report of the General Manager, Community Services Department dated November 6, 2017, be approved as the basis for further engagement and design.

Background

*At its July 26, 2017 meeting, City Council awarded a contract to HDR for Bus Rapid and Conventional Transit Planning, Design, and Engineering Services. The major deliverables of this project include:

a) Existing Conditions Assessment;

b) a BRT Functional Plan;

c) BRT Station Design;

d) BRT Detailed Design;

e) a Park and Ride Study and Concept Design;

f) a Transit System Plan; and g) an Implementation Plan.

9.4.1 Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project – Evaluation and Next Steps

Decision

*City Council decided that a provision for protected bike lanes be included in the Downtown All Ages and Abilities cycling network, and passed the recommendations;

2. That the Administration develop a Downtown All Ages and Abilities cycling network (including protected bike lanes) in concert with other downtown policy and planning initiatives in 2018;

3. That the existing protected bike lanes on 23rd Street (from Spadina Crescent to Idylwyld Drive) and 4th Avenue (from 20th Street to 24th Street) be retained until the Downtown All Ages and Abilities cycling network plan is presented to City Council;

4. That the report of the A/General Manager, Transportation & Utilities Department dated November 6, 2017 be forwarded to the Traffic Safety Committee for information; and

5. That the Administration look at opportunities to improve egress from the parkade on 100 block of 4th Avenue South.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on March 23, 2015, resolved: “1. That the protected bike lanes be installed on 23rd Street (from Spadina Crescent to Idylwyld Drive) as a demonstration projects in 2015; That the protected bike lanes be installed on 4th Avenue (from 19th Street to 24th Street) as a demonstration project in 2016; and 3. That the curb parking be installed on the north side of 24th Street between Ontario Avenue and Idylwyld Drive.” The need for improved cycling facilities within the Downtown was identified through several City plans and initiatives. The City Centre Plan, approved by City Council in 2013, identified the need to improve cycling as a strategy to increase the attractiveness of, and access to, the downtown for businesses, residents, visitors, employers and their employees. The Growth Plan, endorsed by City Council in 2016, provides guidance for civic investments in infrastructure and support programs over the short, medium, and long term that will shape growth patterns and increase transportation choices, in order to achieve the social, economic, and environmental aspirations of the community. The Active Transportation (AT) Plan, endorsed by City Council in 2016, also identified the need to improve cycling for people of all ages and abilities, and recommended the Administration develop a Downtown AAA network.

9.7.1 Home Ice Campaign and University of Saskatchewan – Terms of the Contribution Agreement for Additional Funding – Supplemental Information

Decision

*City Council considered this together with Item 8.1.7, and the information was received.

Background

*At its October 30, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services (Committee) considered the report entitled, Home Ice Campaign and University of Saskatchewan – Terms of the Contribution Agreement for Additional Funding, which contained the terms of the amending agreement. The Committee asked for a sponsorship recognition piece, including the donations and tiers of recognition, to be included with the October 30, 2017 report of the General Manager, Community Services Department, for the November 20, 2017 City Council meeting.

From the November 20, 2017 Public Hearing Meeting of City Council

Proclamations and Flag Raisings

Decision

*City Council approved the following:

6.1 Jackie Lay – CNIB – March 19- 25, 2018 – ‘CNIB Week’

Proclamation Request.

6.2 Lindsay Gervais – Saskatoon Health Region – November 24 – December 1, 2017 – ‘AIDS Awareness Week’ – December 1, 2017 – ‘World AIDS Day’ and December 1 – 5, 2017 ‘Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week’

Proclamation Request.

6.3 Kristy Rempel – Prairieland Park – January 8 – 12, 2017 – ‘Agriculture Business Awareness Week’

Proclamation Request.

6.4 June Zurowski – Saskatoon Women’s Community Coalition – December 6, 2017 – ‘National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women’

Proclamation Request.

6.5 Paige Gignac - United Way - November 22, 2017 - 'United Way Month'

Flag Raising Request.